USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > School history of Berks County in Pennsylvania : by Morton L. Montgomery > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18
Occupations .- The early industry of the town was very diversified, and comprised numerous trades. The mechanics were the life and development of the town. Many of them were in good circumstances. Hat-making was a prominent employment. Then hatters had shops, no factories. A prominent busi- ness stand is worthy of special mention. Conrad Weiser began a store on the north side of Penn Street, above Callowshill (now 5th). He obtained the patent in 1751, having probably erected the building (two-story stone) shortly before, and here
192
SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
he carried on business intercourse with the Indians. This stand has continued prominent thence till now, a period embracing nearly 140 years. For a long time it was commonly known as the "Old White Store."
No Newspapers nor Internal Improvements .- There were no newspapers in Reading during its history as a town. The Pennsylvania Gazette, from Philadelphia, had a limited circulation among the people. This supplied the news, which was almost entirely "foreign." The local correspond- ence was only occasional. This important agent for preserving as well as communicating facts and particulars about a growing people, not having been in existence then at Reading, it affords no aid whatever in ascertaining the condition of the place before the Revolution. A "special " to the Gazette reported some of the Indian cruelties and wandering bears in the vicinity of Reading ; and a correspond- ent from Reading in 1760 intimated the possible im- provement of the Schuylkill for navigation. The difficulty of gathering facts concerning this early period, upon which to found historical narrative, will therefore be appreciated. There was no bank nor post-office, no public water-works, no bridge nor turnpike, no canal nor railway, no telegraph nor telephone, no gas nor electric light ! How destitute of public conveniences and improvements were the inhabitants of the town then compared with what the people have now, in the year 1889 !
Wells-The well was an important feature in the town-in fact, it was an indispensable feature-
193
READING.
and it continued to be for 100 years, till the municipal government discouraged its use for sanitary reasons, and especially after the water-works had been pur- chased from the "Reading Water Company." It is one of the first things mentioned in connection with the town, and it occupies a prominent position in the growth and well-being of the people. It stood in every locality, and was used by everybody. The water was drawn up in a bucket by a chain or rope attached to a windlass. Its utility cannot be over- estimated. There were springs in the town. One place was supplied with running water; this was the "Fountain Inn," which was located on the south side of Penn Street, about 50 yards above 10th. The water was conveyed in a wooden pipe from the spring at the "gravel hole," on the "Commons."
Fuel-Light-Entertainments .-- The only sub- stance which the inhabitants used for fuel for heat- ing and cooking purposes was wood. The wood- stove was common everywhere; and so was the open fire-place. Great chimneys were a necessary part of every dwelling. Coal had been discovered in the upper section of the county, along the head- waters of the Schuylkill, some years before the close of this period, but its usefulness as a substance for fuel had not as yet been recognized or appreciated.
The light was still in a primitive state. There was no step as yet beyond the lamp ; wax, fat, and oils were still the substances commonly used for this purpose. Gas was known abroad; but it had not yet been introduced for lighting public or private places. Thirty years more elapsed before it was
13
194 SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
adopted for lighting the streets of Westminster and London, in England. There was no demand for an improvement in this direction beyond the wants of social entertainment. The inhabitants worked while it was day, for when the night came they found that they could not work. Work-shops closed at 6 o'clock or sun-down. The stores, however, were kept open till 9 and 10 o'clock ; and the taverns es- pecially. A dim light enabled the people to move around. But talk, gossip, and story-telling were carried on more than business. A country store or tavern of to-day is a fair sample of what the stores and taverns of Reading were during the period when it was a town.
There were no evening dramatic performances -no entertainments of any kind. Balls and dancing- parties were numerous then as they are now ; and these were conducted at taverns, not at halls spe- cially designed for such a purpose. The violin was the only musical instrument used, and the player was an orchestra all in himself, his energetic stamp- ing and motions keeping the dancers in time and causing much activity upon the occasion. The people had various pastimes, just as they have had everywhere, time out of mind. Card-playing, racing, quoiting, rolling and throwing an iron ball, running and jumping, ball-playing, and hoop-rolling were most common. These were, however, for men and boys. The women and girls devoted their spare time mostly to knitting, quilting, fancy-sewing, and spinning. They did not have any sports which re- quired physical exertion.
1
195
READING.
Hunting and Fishing .- Hunting and fishing were especially interesting and successful sports in the days when the woods were great and wild, and the waters rolled onward unpolluted. This was a great . section then for these sports. Before the town was laid out, bears were numerous in this vicinity ; and they continued here for some years afterward. Sev- eral were shot near by in 1754, of which special mention was made in a letter to the Pennsylvania Gazette. All kinds of wild game were plentiful-deer, rab- bits, pheasants, partridges, ducks, geese, and pigeons. The latter were here in flocks, estimated by the thousand. Gunning for food-if not for a livelihood-was common with every man. Traps and snares were used very suc- cessfully by many for catching game.
The Schuylkill and its many tributaries abounded with fish. Fishers were just as successful as gun- ners. They were not required to walk more than a mile or two at most from their homes. The abun- dance of shad made this locality famous as a fish- ing-ground. Along the "Neversink " and around the "Poplar Neck" they were plentiful. The name of the locality-Navesink, fishing-ground- arose from this circumstance. With the Indians it was a chosen district above others. The name im- ports the preference. Other fishes of various kinds were here likewise. Different modes of catching them were used-the net, and the rod and line
196
SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
being preferred. The gig at night was frequently adopted ; but the first-named was used mostly for this purpose. A large part of the food of the early inhabitants consisted of wild game and fish.
Pound Sterling .- The term "pound sterling " arose in England under King Richard I., about the year 1190. It is supposed to be an abbreviation of the word "Easterling," the name of an oriental coin which was introduced into England by distin- guished coiners from the East. It is also supposed to have been a small coin, worth about one penny, which was stamped by merchants from Germany, called Esterlings, during the reign of King John, 1199-1216.
In the provincial days of Pennsylvania, a pound was equal to $2.42. The pound sterling of Eng- land is now represented by a " sovereign," a gold coin valued at $4.84.
The terms "pounds," "shillings," "pence," were used in reckoning for some years after the establishment of independence. The county records show a change from the use of these terms to dol- lars and cents in the year 1796. The early inhabit- ants of Reading were obliged to understand the value of the foreign coins in order to carry on satisfactory business intercourse with one another. Before the change was introduced, there were two units of value : the English pound and the Spanish milled dollar, and the values of these standards were not common. The matter of reckoning value, making change and exchange, etc., was a compli- cated matter for them, much more so than we, who
197
READING.
are accustomed to simple units of value, would imagine.
Calendar-Old Style to New Style .- The old style of reckoning time (Styli Veteris) was the Julian Style, derived from Julius Cæsar-46 B.C. The length of the year by this reckoning was afterward found to be incorrect; but centuries elapsed before it was changed. In 1582 Pope Greg- ory XIII. issued a brief in which he abolished the use of the Julian Calendar and substituted a cor- rected calendar, according to the calculations of a learned astronomer of Naples, named Aloysius Lil- lius. The correction added ten days to the old style. The name of this calendar was called, after the Pope, "Gregorian," and came to be recognized as the new style. The difference between the two styles continued to be ten days till 1700. In the
eighteenth century it was eleven days. The order of the Pope was first recognized only by govern- ments under the influence of the Roman Catholic religion ; but the change was gradually introduced into the reckoning of all the governments. In
175 1, an act of Parliament was passed by the British government, adopting the new style in all public and legal transactions, and directing that the next year (1752) should begin on the Ist day of January, instead of the 25th day of March; that the names of the months (as January, February, March, etc.) should be substituted for the numbers (as Ist, 2d, 3d, etc.), and that the day following the 2d day of September, 1752, old style, should be reckoned as the 14th day of September, new style. Previous to
198
SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
the time that this act went into effect in the Amer- can colonies, the Assembly of Pennsylvania passed an act on March II, 1752, recognizing the act of Parliament, more especially for the purpose of pre- venting disputes in reference to the dates of legal conveyances.
BOROUGH FROM 1783 TO 1847.
Charter of Incorporation .- After the close of the Revolution, the town was ready for a step for- ward into a distinct political body with the powers and privileges of municipal government. It then contained about 400 taxables, or fully 2000 inhabit- ants, most of whom were Germans; and it was generally recognized as the largest, most important and progressive inland town in the entire country. Accordingly, a petition in this behalf was presented to the General Assembly, and on September 12, 1783-35 years after the town-plan had been laid out-it was erected into a borough. This length of time would seem to indicate a slowness of politi- cal action in respect to advancement beyond the ordinary and limited powers of a township; but it would also seem to indicate a good, orderly, and contented people, who were able to get along satis- factorily without the aid of increased police regula- tions. The principal offices were a Chief Burgess, 4 assistants, high constable, treasurer, clerk, super- visors, and assessors.
By that time the county had come to contain a population numbering 25,000 ; and towns had come to be laid out and established in the county round-
199
READING.
about Reading : Womelsdorf to the west 14 miles, in 1762; Hamburg to the north 18 miles, and Kutztown to the northeast 16 miles, in 1779; Birds- boro' to the southeast 9 miles, about 1760, and Mor- gantown to the south 15 miles, about 1770.
A new charter was provided by an act passed March 29, 1813, which gave the borough enlarged powers, and it continued in force till 1847, except- ing several modifications with respect to elections and certain officials.
Election Districts .- In 1789, Reading and II townships of the county were erected into an elec- tion district. The poll was at the Court-House. The townships were taken away during the following 50 years and erected into separate election districts. In 1817, Reading was divided into two election wards, -North and South,-Penn Street having been made the dividing line. In 1840, it was divided into four election wards,-Northeast, Southeast, North- west, and Southwest, -Penn and 6th Streets having been made the dividing lines. And in 1844, a 5th election ward, called Spruce, was erected out of that part of Reading which lay between the Schuylkill River, Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, and Spruce Street.
Newspapers .- The introduction of municipal gov- ernment marked the beginning of real progress, and Time thence would seem to have been generous in bestowing his blessings upon the community. By reviewing the whole period of the borough from 1783 to 1847, the newspaper occupies a very promi- nent position. It was the first evidence of real ad-
200
SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
vancement by the town-people beyond their previ- ous condition ; and that this instrumentality in a new era of Reading should be the first was as natural as it was reasonable and necessary. The contents of the earliest publications were, doubt- less, interesting to its readers, notwithstanding they consisted of advertisements and foreign news almost entirely ; but to us of to-day they would be decidedly uninteresting, inasmuch as we have been taught to expect and to read and to know many matters pertaining to persons, not only round- about us, but distant many miles, as well abroad as at home.
Nine-tenths of the inhabitants were Germans. Naturally the first local publication in 1789 was in the same language; but an English publication fol- lowed seven years afterward. Newspapers in both languages have continued in circulation thence till now. Many were begun, but they did not flourish. From 1820 till 1847, it would seem to have been quite fashionable to start and run a newspaper, judging from the number instituted, but not strongly constituted.
The general development of the borough through these newspapers cannot be fully appreciated. Their influence was certainly wonderful. At first their power over the public was trifling; but it grew with passing years. Long before the inhab- itants thought of growing out of their boyhood into manhood, in respect to local self-government, it was felt as a strong agency amongst them. And it was as good as it was strong.
201
READING.
Post-office .- Several years after the introduction of the newspaper, the post-office at Reading was established. This was in 1793. We of to-day can- not imagine what a step this was by the people out of the wilderness of inconvenience and labor, if not anxiety. The nearest post-office, since the estab- lishment of this department of public service in the country, had been at Philadelphia. Letters, there- fore, were comparatively few in number. If a letter were addressed to a person residing at Reading, it was delivered at Philadelphia, and there published in a newspaper; through this publication, notice would reach Reading, and eventually the person. Correspondence was almost entirely indulged in by those who could forward it by an express messenger. The stage was then a public conveyance. It was used also for transporting letters, as well as persons and goods, from place to place. After the establish- ment of postal routes, the mail-bag was substituted for the driver's pocket. There was a daily mail be- tween Philadelphia and Reading from 1793 until the establishment of the railroad in 1838. In this period of 45 years, the intercourse of the people for social and business purposes was stimulated to a high degree. During nearly the whole time, letters were folded and closed with red sealing-wax. There was quite an art displayed in the folding so as to ad- mit of opening the letter without mutilating certain parts of the manuscript. The envelope was intro- duced here shortly before the railways. From 1835 for a number of years, mail matter was received twice a day regularly.
202
SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
Internal Improvements .- Great thoroughfares had been established which led through this section of country before Reading was laid out in 1748. From the Schuylkill, at the foot of Penn Street, roads extended to the west, to the north and north- east, to the southeast, and to the southwest. The Indians had marked out these courses in passing to and from their respective encampments, and they were adopted by surveyors in laying out public roads between the settlements. But notwithstanding the rapid growth of the population round-about and in Reading down to 1783, there was no movement to- wards the creation of great highways by either land or water to encourage as well as to facilitate the business enterprises of the town. This was a very important matter to them, but apparently they did not feel the need of easy and rapid inter-communi- cation. However, soon after the town had devel- oped into a borough, a progressive spirit appeared, and this continued to show itself persistently from one decade to another, until the people came to en- joy turnpikes, canals, and a railway. These were accomplished before 1840. By studying them re- spectively, it will appear that they were plants of slow growth. It is possible, if not probable, that the demands of trade were not urgent. Both dealers and people took ample time in business transactions, the former in supplying and the latter in demanding articles for use and consumption in daily life ; and this may account for the apparent slowness of actu- ally realizing their practical utility. Everything was slow. Competition was comparatively an un-
203
READING.
known factor in the market, especially that compe- tition which is now recognized for its energy, and without which a merchant would certainly be left far in the rear. These agents were useful to the borough in the development of manufactures and traffic, and they continued active until it was ad- vanced into a city. Before 1810, they were of no consequence to the borough; but subsequently in every decade they manifested their power by an ever-increasing influence. In respect to population this is perceptible; for, from 1810 to 1820 the in- crease was 25 per cent. ; from 1820 to 1830 it was 35 per cent .; from 1830 to 1840 it was 43.6 per cent .; and from 1840 to 1850 it was 87.2 per cent. Allow- ing the town to have had 2000 inhabitants when it was incorporated into a borough, and the borough to have had 12,000 when it was incorporated into a city, Reading increased in population 10,000 during 64 years, sex-tupling itself in two generations. A great, if not the greater, proportion of this surprising increase is attributable to internal improvements.
Ferries-Bridges .- At the foot of Penn Street, there was a ferry across the Schuylkill from the beginning of the town until 1816, when a bridge was constructed. The first efforts of the inhabit- ants in this direction were made in 1796. The sub- ject of this important improvement for the con- venience and safety of the public was constantly before the people during a score of years. A stone bridge was first suggested, and the project was en- couraged by liberal legislation. Even the "Lot- tery Scheme " was brought to the rescue, with the
1
204 SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
aid of prominent, influential commissioners. A beginning was made by the erection of stone piers, and the county commissioners paid large sums of money on account of their construction. But the "ferry " could not be supplanted. The people knew it was unsafe and uncertain, for they expe- rienced it, especially every Spring. It would seem that all efforts were fruitless until. the turnpike was introduced, though stages ran to and fro across the ferry daily for nearly 30 years. Immediately after the turnpike had become established, a strong de- termination manifested itself towards the completion of the bridge. In 1816 it reached a passable con- dition; and in 1818 it was completed. It took the name of "Harrisburg Bridge " from the turnpike, the eastern terminus of which was at this point and the western at Harrisburg. Twelve years afterward, a second bridge was erected across the river about two-thirds of a mile below. It took the name of "Lancaster Bridge " from the road which led to Lancaster. It was constructed also of wood. The county commissioners were authorized by an act passed in 1829 to erect it. They proceeded in the matter in 1830, and completed the bridge in 1831. At this point there had also been a ferry for many years. It was commonly called "Srohecker's Ferry;" afterward "Garber's." The first privilege for a ferry at this point had been granted by the Penns to one Levan, and during his time it was called " Levan's Ferry."
Fire Companies-Banks-Water Supply .- In the development of the borough, special mention must
205
READING.
be made of three useful bodies which contributed much towards the general welfare of the commu- nity-the first in respect to fire, the second to money, and the third to water.
When the borough began its eventful history, the "Rainbow Fire Company " was the only associa- tion in the place for the protection of property from fire, having continued alone since 1773. Two other organizations of this nature were in existence for some time, but no information was obtainable to show when they began or ended. One was called the "Union," and the other the "Sun." They were in active operation in 1808. Subsequently, during the history of the borough, three fire com- panies were instituted, viz. : Junior, 1813; Read- ing, 1819; Neversink, 1829.
In 1837 the "panic" struck Reading. Owing to a suspension of the United States Bank, the banks at New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and other places suspended specie payments ; and the banks at Reading were forced to do likewise. The suspension here took place on May 12, 1837. Not- withstanding this suspension, the business men of the borough published a notice of their entire con- fidence in the banks at home, and of their willing- ness to accept the notes of the banks in payment of debts, goods, etc. The banks then in operation were the "Branch Bank of Pennsylvania," "Farm- ers' Bank," and "Berks County Bank." The scarcity of money compelled the people to resort to an expedient for a circulating medium. This was found in the "Shinplaster," commonly so called ;
206
SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
and also "Rag-Barons," "Hickory Leaves,'' etc. The Borough Council came to the relief of the peo- ple by authorizing an issue of loan certificates to the amount of $20,000, in denominations of five, ten, twenty-five, and fifty cents, and one, two, and three dollars, which were to be redeemable on August 1, 1838. These certificates were loaned to business men on good security to guarantee their redemption ; and they were afterward redeemed.
Water was entirely supplied from wells and cis- terns to the citizens until 1821 ; then a company was organized for the purpose of supplying good water. It was called the "Reading Water Com- pany." This was a great improvement, especially for those people who did not have a pump upon their premises and were compelled to carry water for some distance to their homes. The company, by means of pipes, conducted water throughout the borough into the yards of their patrons. But the pumps were not abandoned, notwithstanding the water was of a limestone quality and not adapted for general household use, especially for washing purposes. Through this period, many people from all parts of the borough resorted to the "Com- mons," along the stream which flowed from the "arched spring " near the "gravel-hole," to carry on washing. The "Commons" was a great place on "wash-day." The most popular locality was at the head of Washington Street. Many women and girls were there at a time. The days most com- monly devoted to this purpose were Mondays and Tuesdays. The numerous heads bobbing up and
207
READING.
down over tubs, and long lines with " wash " flap- ping in the breeze, presented an interesting sight. The water was heated in large iron kettles, sus- pended from cross-bars which rested on notched upright posts, or placed on a temporary hearth built of stones gathered from the vicinity.
Light .- The light of the town was still the light of the borough. Tallow, moulded in the form of candles, and oil and camphene in lamps, were used. The streets were not lighted. Public buildings were very seldom used in the night for meetings or entertainments; and store-keepers could get along with the light afforded from lamps. The times did not require a superior light, for the peo- ple had not yet come to convert part of the night into day.
Public Buildings .- The public buildings of the borough comprised the Court-House, Prison, State- House, and Market-Houses. The old Court-House . was found too small and inconvenient, and a fine large brick structure was supplied in 1840. The Prison of 1770 remained, and accommodated all the prisoners from the county and the county-seat. The rooms were not numerous, but the county commis- sioners and sheriff, nevertheless, found place for all the prisoners.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.